Kintsugi

Sarah Brower 1995 (New Jersey)



The moment comes,
when petals defy gravity
when the pen runs out of ink

When you sigh
at the sight, of porcelain China
dropping from the highest of points

Limbs grow numb
settling into the cozy indentation
of the fetal position

Skin beneath your swollen,
heavy lids
expanding with the salt
created by saddened pupils

Yes,

These moments come
even to stay for the long haul
yet even the sun goes to sleep,
only to wake up every morning
showering those petals with nourishment,
the comfort of the warmest set of rays

You reach across the translucent,
rough edges of the whitest paper
pushing, scratching
pressing for a streak of black
looking at the smooth line
created by the fingers of perseverance

You see the crack cemented
within your precious china
seemingly broken, yet lustrous
in beauty and form
with a smile you gently place this piece
back where it belongs


Yes,
these moments come to all
even to those placed firm on the ground,
face towards the sun.

Though being broken, we are still being used
to give love, hope, relate to the unknowing

Yes,
when we are weak, we are powerful

About this poem

If you’re not familiar with Kintsugi, it’s a Japanese art expressed through pottery. It’s all about repairing what’s broken. My poem is about rising above the broken.

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Written on October 29, 2023

Submitted by sarahella19 on October 29, 2023

1:09 min read
6

Quick analysis:

Scheme xxx xax bcc cxxx bdxefx fxexxx xaxxxx Gdxc xe Gx
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 1,116
Words 232
Stanzas 10
Stanza Lengths 3, 3, 3, 4, 6, 6, 6, 4, 2, 2

Sarah Brower

I love to express myself through poetry. I can’t force inspiration so I only write when I feel moved. Authenticity is important to me!! If I can make anyone feel heard and understood, Then my goal is accomplished. more…

All Sarah Brower poems | Sarah Brower Books

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1 Comment
  • AIDA
    I thoroughly enjoy the delicate strength in the words of your poem, the interaction of firmness and fragility like the instance of Kintsugi it references. Your insight and depth of expression are remarkable. I am captivated by the exploration of sadness and the assurance held within your line "yes, these moments come to all", which promotes a sense of universality. Beautifully done!

    Some places for improvement might involve a bit more imagery bridging the metaphor of Kintsugi to human circumstances. It would be intriguing to see the two narratives - the broken object and the person - intertwined more intricately, rather than running mostly parallel. It is just a small suggestion to even enhance the rich tapestry of your work.

    Moreover, the transition between stanzas and thoughts could be smoother to maintain the easy flow and rhythm. It could make the reading experience even more palatable.

    Finally, a quick grammar check might help; the first two lines are a bit awkward with their structure. Maybe something like 'The moment when petals defy gravity, when the pen runs out of ink' would be more grammatically sound.

    Overall, this is a lovely piece of work. Keep writing! Your voice is unique and refreshing, and it truly resonates within the reader. The emotion and craftsmanship in your poem is unquestionably profound!
     
    LikeReply4 months ago

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"Kintsugi" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/172978/kintsugi>.

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